Tom Vandergriff
Encyclopedia
Tommy Joe Vandergriff was a politician from Texas
. He served as Mayor of Arlington
from 1951 to 1977, as a U.S. Representative
from from 1983 to 1985, and as County Judge of Tarrant County from 1991 to 2007. For the greater part of his life, Vandergriff was a Democrat
, but he became a Republican
around 1990.
As Mayor, he was instrumental in several projects, including a new General Motors
assembly plant, moving a Major League Baseball franchise
to Arlington, and the opening of Six Flags over Texas
.
assembly plant into Arlington, brought the Washington Senators to Arlington as the Texas Rangers
, saw Arlington State College elevated to University status and became the University of Texas at Arlington
, helped create the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and saw Arlington grow from about 8,000 people to over 120,000.
In January 1977, Vandergriff unexpectedly announced his resignation at a regularly scheduled city council meeting. His resignation, which was effective immediately, surprised both city councilmembers and observers because virtually no one had been aware of Vandergriff's intention to resign. Arlington's mayor pro tem, SJ Stovall
, succeeded Vandergriff as mayor.
and served one term from 1983 to 1985. While in Congress he was considered a conservative Democrat.
Despite his popularity in the area, Vandergriff was swept out after only one term by Republican Dick Armey
amid Ronald Reagan
's massive landslide reelection bid that year.
of the Houston Astros
tried to block any attempt Vandergriff made in his efforts to bring a ball club to Arlington. In 1971, Washington Senators owner Bob Short
was wanting to relocate his team, managed by baseball legend Ted Williams
.
Many people in the D.C. area were highly opposed to the move. Vandergriff was thrown out of a cab because the driver learned who he was. Even the then-President of the United States, Richard Nixon
, was against the move. While Vandergriff was visiting Bob Short in his D.C. area office, Nixon sent his son-in-law to deliver a message to Short, demanding he not relocate the team. Not wanting Nixon to know Vandergriff was there, Short shoved Vandergriff into a closet, where he stayed until it was "safe to come out." Ultimately, the Washington Senators relocated to Arlington's Turnpike Stadium
. Vandergriff rebuffed a large community effort to rename the stadium in his honor; the team thus played for the next 22 seasons in an expanded and renamed Arlington Stadium.
The new team became known as the Texas Rangers. Because the city of Arlington owned the broadcasting rights, he served as a TV broadcaster for the team from 1975 to 1977, not earning pay.
In 1993, he spearheaded the efforts to build a new stadium. Mayor Richard Greene
, then owner George W. Bush
, President Tom Schieffer
, and Vandergriff campaigned to get Arlington voters to approve the new stadium. The stadium was passed and opened in 1994 as the Ballpark in Arlington, after Vandergriff again rebuffed a campaign to name the new park Vandergriff Stadium.
In 2004, Vandergriff was inducted into the Texas Ranger Baseball Hall of Fame, along with Buddy Bell
and Ferguson Jenkins
. He is honored with a statue in center field, which bears the name "Vandergriff Plaza." Today he is considered the Father of the Texas Rangers.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. He served as Mayor of Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
from 1951 to 1977, as a U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from from 1983 to 1985, and as County Judge of Tarrant County from 1991 to 2007. For the greater part of his life, Vandergriff was a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, but he became a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
around 1990.
As Mayor, he was instrumental in several projects, including a new General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
assembly plant, moving a Major League Baseball franchise
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
to Arlington, and the opening of Six Flags over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas is a major amusement park located in Arlington, Texas , east of Fort Worth and about west of Dallas. It is the oldest park of the Six Flags chain. The park opened on August 5, 1961 following just a year of construction and an initial investment of US$10 million by real estate...
.
Mayor of Arlington, 1951–1977
During his 26 years as Mayor of Arlington, Tom Vandergriff brought a General MotorsGeneral Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
assembly plant into Arlington, brought the Washington Senators to Arlington as the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, saw Arlington State College elevated to University status and became the University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a public research university located in Arlington, Texas, United States. The campus is situated southwest of downtown Arlington, and is located in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The university was founded in 1895 and served primarily a military...
, helped create the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and saw Arlington grow from about 8,000 people to over 120,000.
In January 1977, Vandergriff unexpectedly announced his resignation at a regularly scheduled city council meeting. His resignation, which was effective immediately, surprised both city councilmembers and observers because virtually no one had been aware of Vandergriff's intention to resign. Arlington's mayor pro tem, SJ Stovall
SJ Stovall
SJ Stovall was an American politician and civil engineer. Stovall served as the Mayor of Arlington, Texas, the seventh largest city in the state, from 1977 until 1983. In total, Stovall held office either on the Arlington City Council or as Mayor for twenty years.-Early life:SJ Stovall was born on...
, succeeded Vandergriff as mayor.
House of Representatives
Tom Vandergriff was elected as a Democrat to the newly formed 26th congressional district of TexasTexas's 26th congressional district
-2006 election:-2008 election:-2010 election:-References:*...
and served one term from 1983 to 1985. While in Congress he was considered a conservative Democrat.
Despite his popularity in the area, Vandergriff was swept out after only one term by Republican Dick Armey
Dick Armey
Richard Keith "Dick" Armey is a former U.S. Representative from Texas's and House Majority Leader . He was one of the engineers of the "Republican Revolution" of the 1990s, in which Republicans were elected to majorities of both houses of Congress for the first time in four decades. Armey was...
amid Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's massive landslide reelection bid that year.
County Judge
As a Republican, Tom Vandergriff served 16 years as County Judge before retiring from public service in 2007.Texas Rangers
For over ten years, Vandergriff worked to bring baseball to the metroplex. Judge Roy HofheinzRoy Hofheinz
Roy Mark Hofheinz , popularly known as Judge Hofheinz or "The Judge", was State Representative from 1934 to 1936, County Judge of Harris County, Texas from 1936 to 1944, and mayor of the city of Houston, Texas from 1953 to 1955.-Biography:A flamboyant and successful orator, broadcaster, developer...
of the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
tried to block any attempt Vandergriff made in his efforts to bring a ball club to Arlington. In 1971, Washington Senators owner Bob Short
Bob Short
Robert Earl Short was an American sport teams owner and politician.-Biography:A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Short bought the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association in the late 1950s and moved the team to Los Angeles in 1960...
was wanting to relocate his team, managed by baseball legend Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
.
Many people in the D.C. area were highly opposed to the move. Vandergriff was thrown out of a cab because the driver learned who he was. Even the then-President of the United States, Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
, was against the move. While Vandergriff was visiting Bob Short in his D.C. area office, Nixon sent his son-in-law to deliver a message to Short, demanding he not relocate the team. Not wanting Nixon to know Vandergriff was there, Short shoved Vandergriff into a closet, where he stayed until it was "safe to come out." Ultimately, the Washington Senators relocated to Arlington's Turnpike Stadium
Arlington Stadium
Arlington Stadium was a baseball stadium located in Arlington, Texas, United States, located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. It served as the home for the Texas Rangers from 1972 until 1993, when the team moved into The Ballpark in Arlington .-1960s:The stadium was built in 1965 as Turnpike...
. Vandergriff rebuffed a large community effort to rename the stadium in his honor; the team thus played for the next 22 seasons in an expanded and renamed Arlington Stadium.
The new team became known as the Texas Rangers. Because the city of Arlington owned the broadcasting rights, he served as a TV broadcaster for the team from 1975 to 1977, not earning pay.
In 1993, he spearheaded the efforts to build a new stadium. Mayor Richard Greene
Richard Greene
Richard Marius Joseph Greene was a noted English film and television actor. A matinee idol who appeared in more than 40 films, he was perhaps best known for the lead role in the long-running British TV series The Adventures of Robin Hood, which ran for 143 episodes from 1955 to 1960.It has been...
, then owner George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, President Tom Schieffer
Tom Schieffer
John Thomas Schieffer, known as Tom Schieffer , is an American diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2005 to 2009 and as U.S. Ambassador to Australia from 2001 to 2005. Schieffer is a friend and former business partner of President George W. Bush. He is the younger brother of Bob...
, and Vandergriff campaigned to get Arlington voters to approve the new stadium. The stadium was passed and opened in 1994 as the Ballpark in Arlington, after Vandergriff again rebuffed a campaign to name the new park Vandergriff Stadium.
In 2004, Vandergriff was inducted into the Texas Ranger Baseball Hall of Fame, along with Buddy Bell
Buddy Bell
David Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
and Ferguson Jenkins
Ferguson Jenkins
Ferguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins, CM, is a Canadian former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was a three-time All-Star and the 1971 NL Cy Young Award winner. In 1991, Jenkins was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. During a 19-year career, he pitched for four different teams,...
. He is honored with a statue in center field, which bears the name "Vandergriff Plaza." Today he is considered the Father of the Texas Rangers.
Businesses
Tom Vandergriff worked in his family's businesses including a chain of car dealerships. His father. Hooker, owned Vandergriff Chevrolet and Vandergriff Buick, until he split the dealerships between Vandergriff and Vandergriff's sister, Ginger. The car dealerships later expanded and were controlled by his son Victor as well as then Arlington Mayor, Richard Greene. Today the dealerships are owned by V.T. Inc. and include Chevrolet, Toyota, Acura, Honda, and Hyundai. V.T. Inc. has become the largest privately owned car dealer company in the United States.Further reading
- The North Texas Commission, Judge Tom Vandergriff Named Regional Champion, retrieved July 7, 2007, includes extended list of political achievements